Abstract: A non-destructive technique and related array for writing and reading magnetic memory cells, including sampling a first signal of a selected read line corresponding to select memory cells, applying a magnetic field to the select memory cells, sampling a second signal of the selected read line, and comparing the first and second signals to determine a logic state of the select memory cells.

Abstract: A reliable semiconductor structure and its fabrication method. Active regions and/or scribe lines on a semiconductor substrate are configured along a crack resistant crystalline direction. Thermal cracking due to the abrupt temperature ramp of rapid thermal processing can be avoided.

Abstract: A magnetic random access memory device (MRAM) and the method for forming the same are disclosed. The MRAM has a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) device, a first write line, and a second write line orthogonal to the first write line, wherein at least one of the first and second write lines has a width narrower than that of the MTJ.

Abstract: A method and system is disclosed for conducting immersion photolithography. The system includes at least one lens for transmitting a predetermined radiation on a predetermined product substrate, and a fluid volume in contact with the lens on its first end and with the product substrate on its second end, wherein the fluid volume has a molar concentration of hydroxyl ions more than 10?7 mole per liter.

Abstract: A semiconductor device 10 includes a substrate 12 (e.g., a silicon substrate) with an insulating layer 14 (e.g., an oxide such as silicon dioxide) disposed thereon. A first semiconducting material layer 16 (e.g., SiGe) is disposed on the insulating layer 14 and a second semiconducting material layer 18 (e.g., Si) is disposed on the first semiconducting material layer 16. The first and second semiconducting material layers 16 and 18 preferably have different lattice constants such that the first semiconducting material layer 16 is compressive and the second semiconducting material layer is tensile 18.

Abstract: A microelectronics device including a semiconductor device located at least partially over a substrate, a bombarded area located at least partially over the substrate and adjacent the semiconductor device, and a bombarded attenuator interposing the semiconductor device and the bombarded area.

Abstract: A phase change memory structure and method for forming the same, the method including providing a substrate comprising a conductive area; forming a spacer having a partially exposed sidewall region at an upper portion of the spacer defining a phase change memory element contact area; and, wherein the spacer bottom portion partially overlaps the conductive area. Both these two methods can reduce active area of a phase change memory element, therefore, reducing a required phase changing electrical current.

Abstract: A strained silicon layer fabrication and a method for fabrication thereof employ a strained insulator material layer formed over a strained silicon layer in turn formed upon a strained silicon-germanium alloy material layer which is formed upon a relaxed material substrate. The strained insulator material layer provides increased fabrication options which provide for enhanced fabrication efficiency when fabricating the strained silicon layer fabrication.

Abstract: A method of forming a strained silicon layer on a relaxed, low defect density semiconductor alloy layer such as SiGe is provided.

Abstract: A method comprises providing a semiconductor alloy layer on a semiconductor substrate, forming a gate structure on the semiconductor alloy layer, forming source and drain regions in the semiconductor substrate on both sides of the gate structure, removing at least a portion of the semiconductor alloy layer overlying the source and drain regions, and forming a metal silicide region over the source and drain regions.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for dicing a wafer having a base material with a diamond structure. The wafer first undergoes a polishing process, in which a predetermined portion of the wafer is polished away from its back side. The wafer is then diced through at least one line along a direction at a predetermined offset angle from a natural cleavage direction of the diamond structure.

Abstract: A copper filled damascene structure and method for forming the same the method including providing a substrate comprising a semiconductor substrate; forming an insulator layer on the substrate; forming a damascene opening through a thickness portion of the insulator layer; forming a diffusion barrier layer to line the damascene opening; forming a first seed layer overlying the diffusion barrier; plasma treating the first seed layer in-situ with a first treatment plasma comprising plasma source gases selected from the group consisting of argon, nitrogen, hydrogen, and NH3; forming a second seed layer overlying the first seed layer; forming a copper layer overlying the second seed layer according to an electro-chemical plating (ECP) process to fill the damascene opening; and, planarizing the copper layer to form a metal interconnect structure.

Abstract: Semiconductor devices and methods of forming the semiconductor devices using an HTS (High Temperature Superconductor) layer in combination with a typical diffusion layer between the dielectric material and the copper (or other metal) conductive wiring. The HTS layer includes a superconductor material comprised of barium copper oxide and a rare earth element. The rare earth element yttrium is particularly suitable. For semiconductor devices having other semiconductor circuits or elements above the wiring, a capping layer of HTS material is deposited over the wiring before a cover layer of dielectric is deposited.

Abstract: A method and system is disclosed for concentrating high energy particles on a predetermined area on a target semiconductor substrate. A high energy source for generating a predetermined amount of high energy particles, and an electromagnetic radiation source for generating low energy beams are used together. The system also uses a mask set having at least one mask with at least one alignment area and at least one mask target area thereon, the mask target area passing more high energy particles then any other area of the mask. At least one protection shield is incorporated in the system for protecting the alignment area from being exposed to the high energy particles, wherein the mask is aligned with the predetermined target semiconductor substrate by passing the low energy beams through the alignment area, wherein the high energy particles generated by the high energy source pass through the mask target area to land on the predetermined area on the target semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: A method of forming a strained silicon layer on a relaxed, low defect density semiconductor alloy layer such as SiGe, has been developed. In a first embodiment of this invention the relaxed, low density SiGe layer is epitaxially grown on an silicon layer which in turn is located on an underlying SiGe layer. During the epitaxial growth of the overlying SiGe layer defects are formed in the underlying silicon layer resulting in the desired, relaxation, and decreased defect density for the SiGe layer. A second embodiment features an anneal procedure performed during growth of the relaxed SiGe layer, resulting in additional relaxation and decreased defect density, while a third embodiment features an anneal procedure performed to the underlying silicon layer prior to epitaxial growth of the relaxed SiGe layer, again allowing optimized relaxation and defect density to be realized for the SiGe layer.

Abstract: A magnetic random access memory (MRAM) cell including an MRAM cell stack located over a substrate and first and second write lines spanning opposing termini of the MRAM cell stack. At least one of the first and second write lines includes at least one first portion spanning the MRAM cell stack and at least one second portion proximate the MRAM cell stack. The first and second portions have first and second cross-sectional areas, respectively, wherein the first cross-sectional area is substantially less than the second cross-sectional area.

Abstract: A semiconductor device 10 includes a substrate 12 (e.g., a silicon substrate) with an insulating layer 14 (e.g., an oxide such as silicon dioxide) disposed thereon. A first semiconducting material layer 16 (e.g., SiGe) is disposed on the insulating layer 14 and a second semiconducting material layer 18 (e.g., Si) is disposed on the first semiconducting material layer 16. The first and second semiconducting material layers 16 and 18 preferably have different lattice constants such that the first semiconducting material layer 16 is compressive and the second semiconducting material layer is tensile 18.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive magnetic data storage product and a method for fabrication thereof both employ a magnetic data storage device formed over a substrate. The magnetic data storage device comprises a free magnetoresistive material layer separated from a pinned magnetoresistive material layer by a dielectric spacer material layer, each having a sidewall. The magnetic data storage product also comprises a sidewall spacer material layer formed annularly surrounding and covering the sidewall of at least one of the free magnetoresistive material layer and the pinned magnetoresistive material layer. The magnetic data storage product is fabricated with enhanced magnetic data storage density.

Abstract: A strained silicon layer fabrication and a method for fabrication thereof employ a strained insulator material layer formed over a strained silicon layer in turn formed upon a strained silicon-germanium alloy material layer which is formed upon a relaxed material substrate. The strained insulator material layer provides increased fabrication options which provide for enhanced fabrication efficiency when fabricating the strained silicon layer fabrication.

Abstract: A method of forming a low-voltage drive thin film ferroelectric capacitor includes the steps of depositing a ferroelectric and platinum thin film dielectric layer over a bottom electrode, annealing the dielectric layer, wherein a nanocomposite layer is formed including nanoparticles of platinum and forming a top electrode over the dielectric layer. An integrated circuit is also provided including a ferroelectric capacitor. The capacitor includes a bottom electrode formed over a substrate and a ferroelectric and platinum thin film nanocomposite dielectric layer formed over the bottom electrode, wherein the nanocomposite layer includes nanoparticles of platinum. A top electrode is formed over the dielectric layer.